Chamber calendar

Tuesday, April 1: Membership & Events Committee, Chamber conference room, 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 9: Leadership Chillicothe Ross, Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 7:45 a.m.

Thursday, April 10: Ross County Safety Council, Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 .m. Luncheon Registration

Wednesday, April 16: Business after Business, Paints Stadium co-sponsored by Classic Brands, 5 p.m. BAB Registration

Thursday, April 17: Executive Committee, Chamber conference room, 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 24: Board of Directors, location TBA, noon

Monday, April 28: Downtown Chillicothe Partnership, Chamber conference room, 8 a.m.

Friday, June 6: Annual Golf Outing, Jaycee Golf Course

Chamber-related links

Economic Development
www.edaso.org

Downtown Chillicothe
www.downtownchillicothe.com

Chillicothe YPN
www.chillicotheypn.com

Visitors Bureau
www.visitchillicotheohio.com

Chamber event photos
www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com

Click above to go to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce site for small business

For previous newsletter editions, click here

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Copyright 2008

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722

Women and children focus

of latest expansion at Adena

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Two years from now, patients in the Adena Health System will have access to a state-of-the-art facility along with medical records that can go anywhere they go. And, eventually, there will be another 250 people to help take care of them.

On a damp and soggy Thursday morning, doctors, administrators and board members were on hand to announce the beginning of construction on the expansion of the main medical center. When completed in the spring of 2010, the $45.5 million expansion will add 95,000 square feet that will be used for a variety of purposes, the majority of which focus on the care of women and infants. Another 22,000 square feet will be renovated.

Dr. Kristin Colwell, chair of the system’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, did a jig on the podium to emphasize her excitement for the project while Dr. Jennifer Allen, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, provided a short history of the long journey to get to this moment.

Two new rooms for C-section deliveries, five new labor-delivery-recovery rooms, 20 rooms for post-partum care, a new 6-patient pediatrics unit and 40 rooms for patients in various levels of care all will be part of the expansion, the largest since the hospital moved from Chestnut Street about 40 years ago.

So, the start of the $45.5 million expansion brings to more than $60 million the construction now under way on the campus. The Paccar Medical Center is moving right along toward its planned opening in about six months. Even more construction is planned to start later this year in the complex off Western Avenue.

State rethinking position on historic tax credits program

It seems quite a few folks from around the state convinced Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher Thursday morning to revisit the decision to pull the plug early on the state historic tax credits program.

As you’ll recall, the state funded only 41 projects (the majority being in Cleveland) when the enabling legislation called for 100 projects to be approved this year and another 100 next year. The state received about 115 applications this year with the owners of the Carlisle Building coming in No. 103.

Apparently Fisher heard how these developments will generate much more in state tax revenues than had been predicted. He also heard how several people staked their personal financial futures on the credits since the program required ownership of the structures before the applications could be accepted.

Fisher appointed a group to look into the possibility of reviving the program. A decision is expected within a month.

Earlier this week, members of the Downtown Chillicothe Partnership toured the Carlisle, including Ed kunzelman who is pictured relating a story to the group when  Newberry’s Five-and-Dime was an occupant more than 30 years ago. The entrance to the former Harvester Restaurant is to the right in the photo. Check out more than 20 more photos from all four stories in the building: Carlisle gallery

Another 243 people call Ross County home

At least that’s what the Census Bureau says. In its latest population estimates for counties, the bureau pegged Ross County at 75,398. For the region around Ross County, there was growth in every county from 2000 as detailed in the chart below, but declines from a year ago in Pike and Pickaway counties. For a look at all Ohio counties: County estimates

Join us for chamber day at the capital

A local contingent is headed to Columbus Tuesday, April 15 to take part in Chamber of Commerce Day at the Capital. Sponsored by the Ohio chamber, the day begins at 11:15 with a discussion on the new 10-year strategic plan to reform Ohio’s higher education system and is followed after lunch with sessions with Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Ohio chamber officials on state issues then the main event with presentations by President’s Bush’s former Deputy Chief of Staff, Karl Rove, and former U.S. Senator and former head of the Veterans Administration, Max Clelland. A reception with state legislators concludes the day. If you’re interested in attending, the cost is $100. You’ll need to register by calling (702-2722) or emailing us (mjones@chillicotheohio.com).

Mansion to open on time

Next Tuesday marks the opening of the season for Adena Mansion and Gardens while the Ohio Historical Society begins the search for its next director. Jane Rupp is moving closer to her parents in northern Ohio and the search is beginning for her replacement. Original plans called the restored home of Thomas Worthington to open on May 1 because of budget cuts at OHS, but the decision was made this week to proceed with the April 1 opening. Rupp also was chairman of the board for the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau, a position now going to Beth Beatty of the Scioto Society.

Firms get a chance to find new employees

More than 400 job seekers or those wanting to upgrade their positions found more than 80 employers to engage at the annual Job Expo Wednesday in the Shoemaker Convocation Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe. Sponsors included the chamber, OU-C, the Jobs One-Stops in Ross and Pickaway counties and area veterans organizations. To learn more about becoming involved next year, email Cari Steinbrook, the chamber’s workforce development manager.

Lots of Ohioans reminded lately of Chillicothe’s quirks and attributes

Thanks to more than a few people, the image of Chillicothe and Ross County has spread nationwide in the past week or so. Of course, the state champion basketball Chillicothe Cavaliers continue in the spotlight, including the celebration in front of the courthouse on Tuesday evening. It appears local author Donald Ray Pollock is gaining notoriety all across the nation with the release of his collection of short stories in “Knockemstiff.” Not a single negative review could be found in newspapers such as the New York Times, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, Columbus Dispatch, Seattle Times and on and on. Then today, the Dispatch featured the “Chillicothe in Story and Song” exhibit being compiled by Friend of the Chamber Tom Thomas and on display at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library. Check out the story: Dispatch article on Chillicothe.

Home and Garden Show prepares for next weekend

Flowers, plants and the latest fixtures and items for your house will be on display next weekend at the Ross County Fairgrounds for the annual Home &
Garden Show. Sponsored by the Building Industry Association of South Central Ohio, the show runs 10-6 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday. The only charge is $2 for parking which goes to the group’s scholarship fund and Habitat for Humanity. Tom McNutt and Ron Specht from NBC-4 plan to make appearances. For all the details: www.southernohiohomegarden.com.

Survey results will help improve service to employers

The chamber’s Workforce Development Department and the Ross County Jobs One-Stop want you to evaluate their employer services. This short survey will allow them to continuously improve and strive to provide the best possible assistance to find qualified applicants to enhance the workforce of our area. Please take just a few moments to answer some questions: Workforce survey

Paints, Classic Brands team up for next BAB

Even though the baseball team is yet to be decided for this year, the Chillicothe Paints and Classic Brands plan to get you started early by hosting the next Business After Business on April 16 at VA Memorial Stadium. At the March BAB at the Pump House Center for the Arts, co-sponsors Price Real Estate and Auction Services, Price Insurance and Transitions Unlimited! raised some funds for three local organizations by auctioning off items donated by ArtTech, the Cellar Room and Globe Furniture. Photos from the last event are now online: March BAB photos

Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

• Zion Baptist Church, 84 S. Clinton Road, 775-0343, www.zbcc.org.

Building permits issued recently by the Chillicothe Building Department:

• Rick’s Park N Save, 1620 N. Bridge St., electric, value $4,200.
• Menards, 1570 N. Bridge St., new structures, $4.5 million.
• Traditions of Chillicothe, 142 University Drive, mechanical heaters, $30,000.
• Robert and Susan Chemas, 24 E. Water St., alterations, $500.
• Pat McAllister, 100 N. Plaza Blvd., electric, $500.
• Wilbur Poole, 69 S. Walnut St., demolition, $3,000.
• Worthington Elementary School, 450 Allen Ave., fire alarm alterations, $5,544.
• Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ in Christian Union, 770 Jefferson Ave., addition, $300,000.
• Scioto Township trustees, 500 Brookside Drive, cell tower alteration, $150,000.
• David Pinkerton, 908 E. Main St., day-care alterations, $10,000.

Vendors licenses issued by the Ross County Auditor:

• Schlegels, 80 N. Paint St., by Greendale Dreamland.
• GTR Sand Carving, 2002 Western Ave.
• Larry’s Signs and More, 2002 Western Ave., by Larry Lewis.
• Jones Energy Systems, 1680 Andersonville Road.